World · South & Central Asia · 7 hrs ago
India’s commute still relies on two-wheelers, but travel varies widely
India’s National Household Travel Survey examined how people aged six and above get around, covering 492,023 households between July 2025 and June 2026.
Among workers travelling at least one kilometre to work, 42.6% mainly used a two-wheeler, while 28.3% walked and 10.7% cycled.
The national averages hide large regional differences: 92.7% of workers in Puducherry used a two-wheeler, while more than seven in ten in Nagaland walked.
Travel also differs between rural and urban areas: rural workers were nearly evenly split between two-wheelers and walking, while city workers were much more likely to use two-wheelers.
Women workers were more likely than men to walk or take a bus, while men were more likely to ride a two-wheeler or bicycle; this pattern also appeared in cities.
Students travelled differently from workers, with walking and buses more common among students and two-wheelers used by only 6.7%.
The survey found that a one-way trip to a fixed workplace takes 25 minutes on average and costs workers about ₹785 a month.
India’s National Household Travel Survey found that two-wheelers are the main way workers travel to work nationally.
Among workers travelling at least 1 km, 42.6% mainly use two-wheelers, 28.3% walk and 10.7% cycle.
Travel patterns vary by state, rural or urban residence, and gender.
The survey covered 492,023 households and 1,844,179 people aged six and above.
A one-way trip to a fixed workplace takes an average of 25 minutes, and workers spend about ₹785 a month on travel.
- Who
- Workers and students in India.
- What
- A national survey found that workers most commonly travel to work by two-wheeler, while travel patterns vary across groups and regions.
- When
- The survey was conducted from July 2025 to June 2026. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- India, with reported differences between states and between rural and urban areas.
- Why
- The article says travel patterns vary with state, rural or urban residence, and gender.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
India’s National Household Travel Survey was conducted.
The Times of India published its report on the survey’s travel findings.
- Survey coverage
- 492,023 households and 1,844,179 people aged six and above
- National worker travel
- 42.6% mainly use two-wheelers, 28.3% walk and 10.7% cycle
- Puducherry
- 92.7% of workers use a two-wheeler as their primary mode
- Nagaland
- More than seven in ten workers walk
- Average commute
- 25 minutes one way to a fixed workplace
- Monthly travel cost
- About ₹785 per worker
Sources
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